Texas Rangers injury update: Jacob Latz, Nathan Eovaldi, Joc Pederson and more

Things are actually looking up for the Texas Rangers as the team heads into an off day before a week where they could make a run towards being a playoff contender again. If Bruce Bochy’s squad will become a contender again before it’s time to sell, they’re going to need to get a bit healthier. Let’s take a look at the latest info available for the walking wounded.

Jacob Latz not expected to need an IL stint

Part of Sunday's big win for the Rangers was reliever Jacob Latz making a start in place for Tyler Mahle who is just getting some extra rest and will start on Tuesday. Latz pitched very well, recording six strikeouts and a double play in the first three innings. He did eventually allow a homer and then left with a hand injury.

After the game Latz said he had a cut on his hand, but the Rangers claim they don't think it's very serious and he won't need to go on the injured list. He'll be listed officially day-to-day and it certainly helps that Texas doesn't have a game on Monday.

Nathan Eolvaldi could be back with the Texas Rangers next week

It’s hard to say with any certainty when Nathan Eovaldi will be back in the rotation, but everything the Rangers have said makes it seem like his right triceps fatigue is minor and he won’t be out long.

The pitcher, who is putting together a Cy Young kind of campaign was put on the 15-day IL retroactive to May 29. That would have him back on June 13. The Rangers have made it clear they believe he’ll be on the Injured List for the minimum so it also seems unlikely he’ll need a rehab start and could get the ball in the Chicago Whitesox series.

Cody Bradford taking next step in his attempt to return

Cody Bradford was eligible to come off the 60-day IL on May 23, but he clearly wasn’t ready to make his return just yet. However, it is possible the lefty reliever could be back by the end of the month.

The next step in his comeback will be this Wednesday, when he will face hitters in a live game simulation. Bradford has been out with a left elbow sprain since the end of spring training. However, he’s finally really working his way back, and things have been very positive.

“It’s kind of like the start of spring training, is how I’d describe it now,” Bradford recently said about his rehab process. “My arm feels great. Now it’s a matter of fine tuning. I’m taking mechanics out of the process and focusing on execution.”

Joc Pederson is still a long way from coming back to the Texas Rangers

The Rangers’ designated hitter was a big free agent signing this offseason. Things haven’t gone well, including a broken bone in his hand after getting hit by a pitch. He’s about two weeks into a recovery that will take a minimum of six weeks. He’ll be back in July at the absolute earliest.

No news is not great news for Jon Gray

Gray took a liner off his wrist and broke a bone back in March. There was talk that he might be back by the end of June, but any real updates on the pitcher were mostly right after he got hurt. At this point, he would have to start the same kind of process that Bradford would, and Bradford is clearly further along.

It doesn’t seem likely that Gray will be back before July at this point. The hope is that the entire season isn’t lost. There’s still time obviously, but there’s going to need to be movement on this front before too long. 

Josh Sborz throws bullpen on latest Rangers road trip

Josh Sborz has missed the entire season and most of the spring after undergoing shoulder debridement surgery in February. While he’s still a ways away from a return to the field, he’s making some big steps. 

He threw a bullpen while the team was in Washington and he’s expected to throw another one when they’re in Minnesota. Like Bradford, he’s looking at this period as spring training.

He’s said all along that he would like to be back by the All-Star break and so far, it appears he’s still very much on that timeline. That would be a nice “deadline” pickup for the Texas Rangers if he can come back and be effective.